British & Irish Cup Semi-Final Preview: Leinster 'A' v Munster 'A'

The interprovincial derby matches are coming thick and fast now, the latest of which sees the 'A' teams from Leinster and Munster battling it out for a place in the British & Irish Cup final. The Blues are chasing their first ever final appearance.

BRITISH & IRISH CUP SEMI-FINAL: Friday, April 6

LEINSTER 'A' v MUNSTER 'A', the RDS, 6pm

Team News: The Leinster 'A' team to face Munster 'A' in the semi-finals of the British & Irish Cup at the RDS on Good Friday has been named.

Following their unbeaten run in this year's competition, the Leinster 'A' management can call upon a mix of youth and experience for what is the first British & Irish Cup game to be held at the RDS.

John Cooney (jaw) is ruled out so he is replaced by Ireland Under-20 scrum half Luke McGrath who makes his third appearance in the 2011/12 tournament.

McGrath partners Noel Reid at half-back, with all of the province's starting backs being products of the Leinster Academy.

Amongst them is the centre partnership of Colm O'Shea and Brendan Macken, the scorer of two tries in the previous round victory over Pontypridd.

Fionn Carr, Andrew Conway and David Kearney make up a lively back-three, while up front the team will be led by Rhys Ruddock who is named in the back row alongside Leo Auva'a and Dominic Ryan.

Damian Browne, returning from injury, partners former St. Finian's Mullingar second row Mark Flanagan who makes his eighth cup appearance. Jack McGrath will line out in the front row alongside hooker Aaron Dundon and tighthead prop Martin Moore.

Meanwhile, a busy Easter weekend begins for Munster on Friday with a trip to Dublin for a British & Irish Cup semi-final that should prove every bit as difficult as what is anticipated on Sunday down in Limerick.

Ian Costello's Munster 'A' side will be captained by the experienced Billy Holland and backboned by players such as Danny Barnes, Duncan Williams and Ian Nagle, who have been regulars in the senior squad this season.

Tralee man Barnes will form a Kerry centre partnership with current Ireland Under-20 international JJ Hanrahan from Castleisland.

There is further pace aplenty in the shape of full-back Sean Scanlon and winger Luke O'Dea who has scored tries in three of his four RaboDirect PRO12 starts to date.

The Munster 'A' squad's preparations included a game against a Development side at Musgrave Park three weeks ago which should have them primed for a strong showing.

Before the panel set off for the RDS, Costello said: "It's going to be a hugely difficult assignment, we know that. Leinster 'A' at home in front of what we're hearing will be a huge crowd.

"You don't expect anything else at this stage of a competition against opposition like that. But we've a good squad, they've worked hard and I'm confident we'll give a good account of oursleves."

Pre-Match Quotes: Colin McEntee (Leinster 'A') - "The British & Irish Cup competition has improved in quality progressively over the last number of years and it's not too often that emerging players have the opportunity to play in front of what will hopefully be a big crowd at the RDS.

"So, the anticipation has risen over the last few days and the squad are in a good frame of mind for Friday's test.

"Though we're without a few players through injury, we're pleased to be able to call upon several experienced players such as Damian (Browne) for what is going to be the biggest test that we have faced so far this season.

"Munster 'A' are a quality side and Ian (Costello) has done a fantastic job with them this year. They have a strong crop of emerging Irish talent on show, each of whom will be as keen as we are to win.

"It is vital in knockout rugby to take whatever chances come your way and we know that we will have to be accurate, aggressive and disciplined if we're to progress to the final.

"It has been a long build up to the semi since the friendly against Connacht last month, and hopefully we can kick off a successful weekend for the province with a win."

Ian Costello (Munster 'A') - "Of course it's a huge ask to travel to the RDS to play the favourites. But it's a challenge that we're really looking forward to.

"We have a quality squad, we have worked extremely hard to get to this stage of the competition and there is real excitement building amongst the players.

"Leinster 'A' expect to have massive support on Good Friday at the RDS, and whereas we can have control over what happens on the field we'll be looking to our supporters to turn up in numbers and maybe give us the sort of lift that Munster supporters are renowned for."

- Friday evening's semi-final sees Leinster 'A' and Munster 'A' clash for only the sixth time at this level of rugby

- The Munstermen marginally have the better head-to-head record over the last decade with three wins to two, including victory in the last meeting, 19-7 at Donnybrook in September 2010

- Munster 'A' have only been beaten once in seven outings this season, their only defeat coming against Cornish Pirates (10-6 in November 2011)

- Leinster 'A' are bidding for a first ever appearance in the British & Irish Cup final having progressed to this stage with a comprehensive 32-0 home win over Pontypridd in the quarter-finals

- The winners of the Leinster 'A' v Munster 'A' game will host the winners of the second semi-final (Cross Keys v Cornish Pirates), meaning that for the first time in the competition's history an Irish team will stage the cup final (on Saturday, April 28)

Monday was community legacy day at Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 as the IRFU's 'Spirit of Rugby' programme brought together some local disability rugby players from DLSP Eagles, Seapoint Dragons and Westmanstown Wasps, and a number of WRWC players and coaches from the competing nations, for a fun-filled coaching/training session and Tag rugby games.

Monday was a momentous day for the Ireland Women's camp as the 28-strong squad was revealed for the Women's Rugby World Cup on home soil. Head coach Tom Tierney and captain Niamh Briggs spoke to the press at the announcement in UCD.

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne spoke to Irish Rugby TV about the Union's 2016/17 Annual Report, which includes increased investment in Women's rugby and addresses the challenges of funding for the game in Ireland.

The launch of a commemorative stamp to mark the Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland was a special day for Women's rugby, team captain Niamh Briggs and her family. We spoke to her and her dad Mike at the GPO.

Marie Louise Reilly joined her Ireland team-mates Nora Stapleton and Lindsay Peat at a recent Dublin City Council event in support of the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup. Reilly, who works as a DCC Sports Officer, said: "The team are coming together really well, we're working hard and hopefully August will be really memorable not just for us but for the whole country."

Fiona Coghlan, Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 Ambassador and Chair of the Dublin City Sports and Wellbeing Partnership, speaks about Dublin City Council's support of the tournament in August and the momentum and excitement building in the capital and around the four provinces for WRWC 2017.

Felix Jones, who is the visiting coach in Ireland camp this week, spoke to Irish Rugby TV about how 'interesting' and 'valuable' his time in Tokyo has been, and also what the transition from player to coach is like. He retired in October 2015 and is now Munster's back-line and attack coach.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's second Test against Japan, Ireland tour captain Rhys Ruddock said: "We've been happy with the results so far, and there's been bits of the performances we've been really happy with and some bits that we're looking to improve on. Tomorrow marks the last opportunity to go out and do that, so we're all really excited about getting out there now."

Set for his third start of the summer tour, Ireland number 8 Jack Conan said: "We gave ourselves the objective of coming over with three good performances, and I feel like we're one away from that. It'll be another massive 80 minutes and everyone wants to finish the season on a high."

Marking the 50-day countdown, we hear from Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 Tournament Director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland forwards Cliodhna Moloney and Paula Fitzpatrick as the tournament, which will be held in Dublin and Belfast from August 9 to 26, draws ever closer.

Highlights from Ireland's 50-22 first Test victory over Japan at Ecopa Stadium in Shizuoka. Joe Schmidt's men ran in seven tries with two each from Keith Earls, Dan Leavy and Jack Conan, while Garry Ringrose also dotted down.

The Ireland Under-18 and Under-19 squads had a busy Easter period with seven matches played in Ashbourne, Cardiff, Llanelli, Caerphilly and Bordeaux. Check out some of the tries scored. Full match reports are available on www.irishrugby.ie.

Speaking to RTE Radio rugby correspondent Michael Corcoran, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt was asked about prioritising players playing in Ireland when it comes to national selection over those who are based overseas.

In an interview broadcast on RTE Radio 1's 'Sunday Sport' programme, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by the summer tour to the USA and Japan, and also looked ahead to next month's Rugby World Cup Pool Draw.

Speaking about working with the provinces and monitoring players' progress, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt told RTE Radio 1: "For us, having the best quality of performance within the provinces, getting some really good coaching from the provincial coaches, which we know is happening at the moment, that's the foundation that we need because in the end we get the players in a match week pretty much."

In an interview with RTE Radio rugby correspondent Michael Corcoran, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt confirmed that Girvan Dempsey, Felix Jones and Ronan O'Gara will be incorporated into the coaching group for the upcoming summer tour to the USA and Japan.

IRFU National Talent Development Manager Hendrik Kruger says the Easter age-grade internationals give the Ireland Under-18 and Under-19 players 'the chance to represent their country and experience international rugby' and are 'the highlight of their season'.